It was one of the most persistent rumours of the summer as AC Milan did their best to woo Lucas Torreira from Arsenal via the media.

Arsenal, however, never had any intention of selling a player they had only purchased the summer before and who had already become a real fan favourite.

Speaking to Tuttomercatoweb, Torreira’s agent, Pablo Bentancur, was asked if Milan had really wanted the midfielder.

“There was the possibility,” Bentancur said.

“[Marco] Giampaolo is in the heart of Lucas. But Arsenal said they had no intention of selling the boy.

“Lucas is fine, the club is happy with him. This will be the year of consecration. With the Arsenal shirt. Milan is Milan, it will always be an important team, even if today it has some economic problems.”